Unapologetically Keith: Helping Those In Crisis : "A Tribute to Dr. King" but I have questions.

Years ago, when I wrote my poetry book " A Man in Transition" I felt the need to pay tribute to a man who paved the way for me to write my own story and opening my private company. These were the words I wrote as a tribute to

Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.

A Simple Tribute to a Great Man, Thank You, Dr. King, We're trying,

Where have those leaders gone? Where are the men of conviction? Where are the wives of these great men and where are those families that were born from the union of such great folks??

Where is the next MLK Jr.? Did King's words indeed only rate as a good speech and some interesting lessons in history classes? Is he only to be an exciting topic in January and then again in February when we watch the films and say, "Was it really that bad back then?" "How could they just stand there and let that happen to themselves?" "Why didn’t they fight back?" "Did non-violence really work?" "Did Dr. King die for nothing?"

Is this holiday indeed that or is it a token of appreciation so we will stop complaining about things? Why did the episode of the Boondocks spark such controversy when it was really about how many of us forgot what the man was really about? Do we remember he was a man of God, who died doing what he believed God wanted him to do? Where is the next MLK Jr.? What happened to real marches about real issues? Where did the SNCC, SCLC, and NAACP go? Do people even remember what “JIM CROW” was?

Dr. King paved the way by adding to the foundation of freedom, but when did we stop laying the bricks to the house built with his blood, sweat, tears and eventually, his life? When was the last successful boycott after King was called home? Something is wrong here, times are supposed to be better, right? What did he do wrong which didn't take hold with us his ancestors? Where are the men this excellent Oak Tree of a man was supposed to Father physically, emotionally, and of course spiritually? King gave his life for what he believed, who picked up his flame and added theirs on lighter fluid? How could we have gone backward, from Emmit Till to Eric Gardner and the host of others in recent days, something is wrong, things were supposed to be better? King saw and understood what the future was supposed to be by looking deep into his present and things still haven't changed. When now we have an open racist who holds the mantle of President of the United States

See for yourself;

"In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check that has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice."

Martin Luther King JR. “I Have A Dream Speech” Washington D. C. 1963

Yet nothing has changed, and that check was never re-written. Where did we go wrong?? Again where is the next MLK Jr.? We are farther divided now than we ever were, economically, educationally, socially and of course spiritually. We are not even close to helping each other over the hump, hell we have moved back to the back of the bus without being told to do so. How did this happen? Wasn't King's death supposed to spark a national uprising that spirited us in the very future he was fighting for, took all those beatings for, and spent time in jail for? I thought when you’re a Martyr for your cause people stand up and take notice of the life being snuffed out and become motivated? Where did King fail here?

Did we forget that period between 1963 and 1972 when we watched and allowed America to wild out and kill Malcolm X, Meger Evers, The Kennedy Brothers, John F. & Robert, as well as Dr. King? Toss in the infiltration and destruction of the Black Panthers to secure the mental damage of black awareness and fight. Was this when our movement died? Is this where we failed?

Well they gave him a holiday, and we get the day off, but through all the TV shows, plays, skits, and songs where will the next King emerge from? The next who, the future King? One benefit to all this was his queen's departure to take her place next to the man she loved. So if for nothing else I am happy Martin and Corretta are reunited. On this day I am going to sit for a few and ponder the very questions I have put to all who have read this. I really don't have the answers. Maybe in his speeches and books, I'll find something I can add to my vision.

As an educator, I have tricked myself into believing that I will have some small role in the making of the next one (King), and with the Lord's mercy, he'll allow me to see one (King) grow in the future MLK Jr... I can only dream and pray it doesn't end like the man who’s holiday most won't celebrate in a fashion fitting to the man who died for it becomes one.

Dr. King, I have never met you, nor seen you in the flesh, but your presence is felt when I read your words or watch your videos. The Lord truly touched you, and I hope that I can do a tenth of all that you've done to make this a better world to live in. God bless you Dr. King, your wife, and your family.

I am one of those children who listened to you as I grew into a man and continue to pray, someday my children and many other children; "will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." However, I have to be honest sir it’s not looking good!

GOD BLESS YOU, REVEREND DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR! (1929-1968)

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

To contact
Keith K. L. Belvin,